U.S. | USDA Announces Additional $10 Million MAP Funding | Agriculture Secret...
U.S.
USDA Announces Additional $10 Million MAP Funding
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today (August 12) announced $10 million in additional funding for export promotions by 65 U.S. trade organizations under the 2002 Market Access Program (MAP). The U.S. Meat Export Federation again received the largest award at $930,170. This comes in addition to the $8,503,362 awarded in June. “America’s agriculture is driven by trade, Veneman said. “With resources such as MAP, we can help our farmers and ranchers gain access to a growing pool of markets and consumers who will find that the United States is an excellent supplier of high-quality products.” USDA allocates MAP funding to applicants based on four criteria: the accuracy of past export goals; historic export performance; projected export goals; and the support the organization receives from the private sector.
Mexico
Chef Competition Slated Thursday
USMEF-Mexico will hold its third annual chef's competition Thursday (August 15), in Mexico City. Eighteen finalists will compete in a cooking competition judged by a panel of prominent chefs, a journalist and a nutritionist. Winning dishes will be selected based on originality and versatility, as well as nutritional attributes. The finalists were selected from 183 entries, based on their use of underutilized cuts of U.S. beef, pork and lamb as identified on their menus. The nine winners selected will travel to the U.S. to learn more about its beef, pork and lamb industries and to take part in a specially-designed program at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, California.